refer to
phrasal verb
referred to; referring to; refers to
1
: to look at or in (something) for information
She often refers to her notes when giving a speech.
Please refer to our website for more information.
2
: to have a direct connection or relationship to (something)
The word "finch" refers to a kind of bird.
The numbers shown in the text refer to footnotes at the bottom of the page.
3
: to talk about or write about (someone or something) especially briefly : to mention (someone or something) in speech or in writing
No one referred to the incident.
Examples of refer to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The team has identified a new unique identifier in some of the Apple Intelligence code that refers to a Mac17,1, and has confirmed that this corresponds to a MacBook running the A18 Pro chipset.
—
Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
Existing law prohibits against both intentional and disparate impact discrimination, which refers to discrimination that occurs as a result of a neutral appearing policy, even if it’s not intended.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 5 July 2025
The absence of lobster traps and not being poked and prodded by divers armed with snares, tickle sticks and nets for nearly four months usually results in an abundance of bugs, a term that refers to the insect-like appearance of lobsters.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 5 July 2025
Residents can refer to a map of the affected areas here: https://go.genasys.com/8mx029.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for refer to
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Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
Existing law prohibits against both intentional and disparate impact discrimination, which refers to discrimination that occurs as a result of a neutral appearing policy, even if it’s not intended.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 5 July 2025
The absence of lobster traps and not being poked and prodded by divers armed with snares, tickle sticks and nets for nearly four months usually results in an abundance of bugs, a term that refers to the insect-like appearance of lobsters.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 5 July 2025
Residents can refer to a map of the affected areas here: https://go.genasys.com/8mx029.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for refer to
Cite this Entry
“Refer to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refer%20to. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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